Cherab Grants Gabe’s Birthday Wish For Friends

“We are extremely excited and grateful for the assistance, bringing the community out while fostering acceptance,” said Stephanie Manus, Gabe’s mom. “There are lots of other kids who are bullied, or excluded, who don’t have anyone show up for their birthday party.”

Gabe Manus’s birthday wish for friendship was granted. Over 75 people attended the Cherab Foundation community birthday celebration festivities at the Bethel Baptist Church in Salem, Virginia with this newly minted 7-year-old. Also honored were Landon (age 8), Peyton (age 9), Matt (age12) and James (age 14), all individuals who struggle to find friends as well as the societal pressures to be “normal.”

Cherab Foundation community birthday celebration, “was founded with the intent of bringing an awareness and an end to alienation and bullying in a proactive way,” said Cherab Foundation President and Founder Lisa Geng. “The acceptance, compassion, and friendships that were realized for Gabe and his family, and those who have come to support or be supported has been amazing.”

It’s not just Gabe, who is diagnosed with autism, who benefitted from the celebration but folks on both sides: Those in similar situations who suffer from the same alienation and those who lent a hand and a heart to be there in support of the families. Included are the individual attendees as well as the numerous benefactors who donated time, services, and money to make these kids feel so special.

Awareness of this Cherab Foundation community birthday celebration reached the Roanoke Rail Yard who was so touched by Gabe’s and the other children’s stories they donated tickets to the hockey game as well as special recognition during the game.

“We are extremely excited and grateful for the assistance, bringing the community out while fostering acceptance,” said Stephanie Manus, Gabe’s mom. “There are lots of other kids who are bullied, or excluded, who don’t have anyone show up for their birthday party.” This morale wove its way through the three-hour celebration which left many saying it was the best birthday party they ever attended.

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Second-grader Landon, who is diagnosed with autism, ODD, and ADHD, drove over an hour with his mom Chrystal to attend. “I think it was a great idea for the kids with special needs who are alienated from their peers and have social deficiencies to be able to come together as a community in a show of support,” said Chrystal. “It was also an excellent way for the parents who are struggling and need some support and understanding to be more social and connect with other parents in similar situations. It was just an all-around great opportunity for everyone!”

People came because of the message; that it’s ok to be different, that people care and that you are not alone. Local news media outlets ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC all helped spread the word and as result messages and cards from the around the country poured in sharing in the sentiment of the event, either expressing support or sharing their own family’s story.
It appears Gabe, Landon, Peyton, Matt, and James all have a bright new world around them, filled with friends and invitations to upcoming parties. Thanks to Cherab Foundation, their wish for friends came true!
Hoots, hollers, and accolades go out to all who made this celebration an event no one will ever forget. Individuals and corporations who donated time, money, product, and their amazing spirit of giving include:

See many of the fun photos from C3 here

Special thanks to Ralph Stewart and Josh Boggs of Now, Then, and Forever Collectables who collaborated with the Cherab Foundation for our crowdFunnit Events, to gift a large box of collectible Hot Wheels to Gabe, Landon, Peyton, Matt, James as well as Parker who was unable to attend due to his epilepsy.

  • Gabe’s mom Stephanie who is a professional baker made a special cake for Gabe and the other 4 children, and additional thanks to the following who donated cupcakes and cookies for all the guests attending:
  • Jojos cupcakes
  • Corbin Confections
  • Golden Corral
  • Lisa Louria Cupcakes & Cookies

While the Cherab Foundation throws a birthday party for a child that is bullied or alienated, it’s not about one person, it’s about fostering acceptance and compassion for all people who feel alienated and bullied; educating, supporting and excepting our differences.

Gabe and his mom Stephanie prior to his Cherab Foundation crowdFunnit event

Due to interest and demand, more events are currently being planned in Virginia, Iowa, and Florida. Please visit us at: Facebook page and website.

We appreciate any donations to help with our mission. As a grassroots, 100 percent volunteer 501(c)3 all donations go directly to our initiatives of providing evidence-based and integrative approaches to help our special children with therapy, nutrition, socialization, and awareness.

We love our Cherab Foundation Family and our supporters!! #asmileandavoice

Cherab Foundation crowdFunnit Events For Special Kids: is a crowd-sourcing friendship project of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Cherab Foundation created to bring people together, raising awareness about differences while fostering acceptance and compassion. Helping a friendless child celebrate a birthday is just an incredible mechanism in which to help make this happen. The party itself and any media attention it brings will help fight bullying at the root while the community connections will exist long after the party ends.